By Emily Iannello
A gold coin donation guarantees elderly patrons a morning of entertainment at a new Seniors Café in Corio’s Cloverdale Community Centre.
The initiative is quickly becoming a hub of the seniors live music scene in the northern suburbs.
On the last Wednesday of every month seniors of all ages have been enjoying a vibrant cafe-setting over cake and coffee while socialising and enjoying live music.
The café program commences again from 1am to 11.30am Wednesday for term-two sessions
Manager Sue Hartigan said Cloverdale had been focusing on presenting live music for the past two years but had now expanded the program.
“This year we decided to combine a seniors activity with live music, so we’re trialling it at the moment,” she said.
“Last terms three sessions were really popular. Last time we had about 20 people turn up, so we’re running it again this term.”
Ms Hartigan said the café helped elderly residents in Geelong’s northern suburbs deal with isolation issues.
“There’s no place to go and get a coffee apart from the shopping centre and there’s also very little live entertainment.
“The social space is very limited, so we have created a space where people can come and hang out, pop in and have a coffee and listen to music.”
Ms Hartigan said country/folk/pop musician Ron Ellis, who runs a ukulele group at the centre, had become a highlight at the cafe.
Ms Hartigan said the entertainment suited the café’s casual atmosphere.
“As a neighbourhood house we’re more informal and very friendly and welcoming. People can come and go as they like – they don’t have to come right on 10am.”
Ms Hartigan said the café would unveil new musicians as the program developed.
“The idea is really just to have a lovely social morning with live music.”
The program will also run on 27 August and 24 September.
